I have this pet theory that Royalex is softer than it used to be, due
to OSHA regs concerned with airborne plasticizer (fumes). Also, I
think the plastic may become embrittled and with age. More likely to
crack, but less likely to abrade away on rocks.

Also, if the UP is like Wisconsin, I think granite river bottoms is
harder on boats than the (sandstone?) stuff found in the SE.


just my possilby crackpot theories. I'll get back to work now.


-Dan


On 8 Sep 2003 09:49:06 -0700, (Paul J. Knoerr) wrote:

snipped...

The other point I want to make... I agree with Craig that Royalex is
really sort of a stopgap material for WW Canoes. My friends Prodigy,
after a week of UP rivers looked like it had been abused. I've never
seen a royalex boat that was so beat up from pretty normal usage. I
think that Bell might have taken out a few layers to lighten it up,
and might have been better served with a thicker royalex layup... but
it might just be that particular boat too.

PK